NEW KID IN THE YARD

This is a shot off the Web of our newest visitors.

At first I thought the towhee was visiting the front this morning. But towhees usually travel in pairs and we had a flock at the feeders.

This is a shot through the front window. I tried getting closer, but I swear I must give of telepathic signals or something. Either that or they hear me moving around next to the window and get spooked. Don't even think about going outside at this point. If the hang around long enough they may get used to having people around; big maybe on that. And when a noisy pick up or SUV comes by, everybody heads for the hill or the taller trees.

I believe we're being visited by black headed grosbeaks. I think these are either females or young males that haven't grown into their full dramatic feathers.

So, I think this is number seventeen on the bird watchers list. The home made hanging feeders have made a real difference in the varieties we're had this year. The markings are similar to the spotted towhees but there's more red and the beaks are heavier.

They were in and out of the yard all day, but this was the best shot I could get.